Chief Judge election takes place this afternoon

The eligible judges will gather in the Jury Assembly Room on the 17th floor this afternoon for the vote. Check-in is from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Judicial IDs will be required.

The Illinois Judicial Council has sent its members a letter supporting the reelection bid of Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. The letter, signed by Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle, the current IJC Chair, praises Judge Evans' leadership and accomplishments. These are the sorts of things one would expect in a letter supporting someone's candidacy. But the letter also stated:

Those old enough to remember other reigns as Chief acknowledge that Judge Evans refuses to use assignments to reward his friends or punish his enemies. Newer Judges may be surprised to learn that once upon a time a criticism would cause a Judge to be reassigned to the courthouse farthest from their home. That doesn't happen under Judge Evans.

The fact that such a letter has been circulated is noteworthy in that it provides some tangible proof of something we all assumed, namely, that there has been a campaign going on for the hearts and minds of the eligible voters.

Here, though, on the outside, there has been precious little indication that a campaign has taken place -- aside from the speculations, some of them quite elaborate, that have made their way into the comments on prior posts here. But, no doubt, the judges have conferred amongst themselves. And they will deliver their verdict later today.